Reviews
Pinot Noir
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Balistreri Family Vineyard - Freestone View Block
"The vineyard was closely planted in 1999 to a mix of Dijon clones and cropped at one ton per acre. The result in 2004 is a bright, tightly focused wine, filled with red berry fruit and cedary notes from its 20 months in barrel. Drink 2009-2015."
90 Points
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Balistreri Family Vineyard - Freestone View Block, Wine Enthusiast, November 2007
"Exceptional. Black fruit, white pepper and clove; deep and concentrated, but with ample acid to go the distance, quite a wine!"
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Balistreri Family Vineyard - Freestone View Block, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, September 2007
"Still tight like its estate brethren, the aromatics attack the senses with wondrous Pinot extracts. It is fat in the mouth with dark stone fruit, game and soy flavors accented by healthy tannins and an explosive finish."
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Balistreri Family Vineyard - Freestone View Block., PinotFile, February. 2007
"Exceptional. Black fruit, white pepper and clove; deep and concentrated, but with ample acid to go the distance, quite a wine!"
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Balistreri Family Vineyard - Freestone View Block, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, September 2007
"Still tight like its estate brethren, the aromatics attack the senses with wondrous Pinot extracts. It is fat in the mouth with dark stone fruit, game and soy flavors accented by healthy tannins and an explosive finish."
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Balistreri Family Vineyard - Freestone View Block., PinotFile, February. 2007
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
"A wine that blends fruit from seven vineyards and seven clones, this bears a family resemblance to the more expensive Balistreri Vineyard bottling in its tart, crisp profile, although there's some dark earth and cola notes layered over the pie cherry fruit."90 Points
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Wine Enthusiast, November 2007
Schott Zwiesel DOUBLE GOLD, 2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
San Francisco Chronicle 2007 Wine Competition
"Lovely, delicate and dry fruit nose; a long, complex finish of plum, strawberry and spice. This should age beautifully."
91 Points
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Cheers, September 2007
"Focused and concentrated, with raspberry, white pepper and smoke aromas and layered wild berry, plum and mineral flavors that finish with ripe but still firm tannins. Ends with a nice mineral and pebble edge. Drink now through 2012."
90 Points
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Wine Spectator, September. 2007
"The 2004 Pinot Noir is dark ruby in color and very ripe from a warm growing season. It has a raspberry, pomegranate and blueberry kirsch- like fruitiness with a velvety palate and round rich mouthfeel, good overall balance and ripe tannins on the finish."
91 Points
2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, International Wine Review, July 2007
See Archived Reviews of our 2002 and 2003 Pinot Noirs
Syrah
"Starts off showing mainly raspberry fruit, then moves on to mixed berries, accented by vanilla from 20 months in barrel. It's slightly syrupy in texture, ending with supple tannins and a bit of cracked pepper."90 Points
2004 Sonoma Coast Syrah, Wine Enthusiast, November 2007
"This was the ONLY unanimous choice among the tasters, winning over palates for its gentle heft, expressive aromas, and broad and balanced flavors."
2003 Sonoma Coast Syrah,, Mike Dunne, Sacramento Bee, June, 2007
"This dark ruby Syrah displays aromas of smoky blackberry and blueberry fruit. It is soft and round in the mouth with clean fruit flavors, excellent balance and moderate acidity. It has terrific mouthfeel, good grip and a long finish."
89 Points
2003 Sonoma Coast Syrah, International Wine Review, July 2007
Chardonnay
"A full-bodied, richly textured Chardonnay, with toasty, nutty notes accenting melon and pear flavors. Despite about 70% malolactic fermentation, this avoids buttery excess, instead coming across as toasted hazelnuts and whole grain."90 Points
2005 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Wine Enthusiast, November 2007
"This is an impressive and complex Burgundian - style Chardonnay that tastes like a first class Meursault. It displays a lovely yellow-gold color and offers aromas of sweet tropical fruit and pear with hints of brioche. Barrel-fermented in 50% new French oak with 12 months sur lies, this bottling reveals a rich texture of ripe fruit with just the right amount of acidity and oak in harmony. You couldn't ask for a more delicious cool climate Chardonnay."
93 Points
2004 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, International Wine Review, July 2007
"Light straw gold and green-tinged 2003 Chardonnay boasts expressive notes of honeysuckle, white peaches, and flowers, in a savory format. With well- integrated acidity, and a broad, elegant yet substantial flavor profile displaying minimal oak, this beauty can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years."
91 Points
2003 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, August 2006
"Exceptional. Ripe citrus and tropical notes; mango, pear, and a distinctive mineral quality, like Puligny-Montrachet, with a hint of Batard for richness. Hints of creme brulee on the finish."
2003 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, April 2006
"One of the year's top wines. Beautifully balanced with a finish that lingers on the palate. Dry and elegant. Match with lobster!"
92 Points
2003 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Cheers, January 2006
See Archived Review of our 2002 Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Dramatic but subtle aroma of minerals, pear and dried herbs. Served just cool (not cold), the wine opens up after an hour to show hints of New World fruit and Loire Valley depth. Should age at least 3-5 years. 2006 Sonoma Coast Sauvignon Blanc Hummingbird Hill Vineyards, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, November 1, 2007
"An intriguing wine, fueled by contrasts. Tomato leaf and peppermint notes counter honeyed fruit; grapefruit balances figs and melons. Despite the hints of green leafiness, it's rich and rather full-bodied. Drink now, although it may prove to be a pleasant surprise in another year or two."
89 Points
2006 Sonoma Coast Sauvignon Blanc Hummingbird Hill Vineyards, Wine Enthusiast, November 2007
"This single- vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is pale lemon in color with attractive aromas of tropical fruit. On the palate, it reveals minerality with high acidity and moderate crispness. About 35% is fermented and aged in French oak and the rest is cold fermented in stainless. This Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect food wine. The i-WineReview Tasting Panel tried it with a delicate salmon mousse....heavenly!"
2006 Sauvignon Blanc, International Wine Review, July 2007
"Bright floral aromas, ripe pears and spice leading to a soft, lush, mellow mouthfeel of pleasure. Here is a wine you can really enjoy. Superb with roast chicken or turkey, with salad entrees of as an accompaniment to hors d' oeuvres"
2005 Sonoma Coast Sauvignon Blanc, Narsai David, KCBS Food & Wine Editor San Francisco, September 2006
"Wonderfully fragrant and expressive...cool climate sauvignon blanc with sweet, fresh clover and mint aromas...citrus flavors and a rich, creamy texture. Unique and utterly irresistible."
2004 Sonoma Coast Sauvignon Blanc, Tim Teichgraeber, Minneapolis Tribune, September 2005
Sign up for a Preferred Release Membership...
Sign up for the opportunity to receive your allocation offering, two to three times per year, at the members-only price.
Purchase Our Wines...
Visit our online store to place your order today and ensure delivery for the holidays.
Upcoming Releases...
All of our new releases will be made available first to our Preferred Release Members. Don't miss out on your special allocation, sign up today to receive your opportunity to purchase just in time for the upcoming holiday season.
Contact Us...
By Telephone: 707-836-5617
By Facsimile: 707-836-5935
By E-mail